Alessandro Nannini

Alessandro Nannini
Nationality	Italian
Years	1986 - 1990
Team(s)	Minardi, Benetton
Races	78
Championships	0
Wins	1
Podiums	9
Poles	0
Fastest laps	0
First race	1986 Brazilian Grand Prix
First win	1989 Japanese Grand Prix
Last win	n/a
Last race	1990 Spanish Grand Prix
Video	Onboard F1 with Alessandro Nannini at the 1989 Monza

Alessandro Nannini (born July 7, 1959) is a former Formula One driver from Italy. He is the younger brother of rock-singer Gianna Nannini.

Biography

Nannini, often referred to as Sandro, was born in Siena in 1959. He participated in 78 Formula 1 grands prix, debuting on March 23, 1986. He won 1 race, achieved 9 podiums, and scored a total of 65 championship points. After joining Benetton for 1988 he immediately impressed, qualifying fourth for his second race in the team, and finishing 3rd at Silverstone. In the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix he lay 3rd behind the two McLaren cars when Ayrton Senna tried an over-optimistic overtaking move, and Alain Prost turned in on him, knowing that a point-less race from Senna would give him the title. Senna rejoined after being push-started, and pitted to replace his front wing, rejoining behind Nannini. He overtook him to win the race, but was disqualified for the outside assistance, handing Nannini what proved to be his only Formula 1 win.

One week after the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix he was involved in a helicopter crash in Siena and suffered a major hand injury. The injury healed thanks to successful microsurgery but it ended his Formula One career.

Despite regaining only partial use of his right hand, Nannini was able to carve out a successful career in touring car racing with Alfa Romeo in the 1990s. A number of strong victories reminded the motorsport world what might have been had his Grand Prix career not been cut so tragically short.

Nannini competed for Mercedes in the 1997 FIA GT Championship finishing 6th overall before hanging up his helmet. He now runs a chain of upmarket cafes bearing his name, with branches as far flung as Indonesia.

Complete Formula One results

(Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Team	WDC	Points
1986	Minardi	BRA Ret	ESP DNS	SMR Ret	MON DNQ	BEL Ret	CAN Ret	USA Ret	FRA Ret	GBR Ret	GER Ret	HUN Ret	AUT Ret	ITA Ret	POR Ret	MEX 14	AUS Ret	Minardi	-	0
1987	Minardi	BRA Ret	SMR Ret	BEL Ret	MON Ret	USA Ret	FRA Ret	GBR Ret	GER Ret	HUN 11	AUT Ret	ITA 16	POR 11	ESP Ret	MEX Ret	JPN Ret	AUS Ret	Minardi	-	0
1988	Benetton	BRA Ret	SMR 6	MON Ret	MEX 7	CAN Ret	USA Ret	FRA 6	GBR 3	GER 18	HUN Ret	BEL DSQ	ITA 9	POR Ret	ESP 3	JPN 5	AUS Ret	Benetton	10th	12
1989	Benetton	BRA 6	SMR 3	MON 8	MEX 4	USA Ret	CAN DSQ	FRA Ret	GBR 3	GER Ret	HUN Ret	BEL 5	ITA Ret	POR 4	ESP Ret	JPN 1	AUS 2	Benetton	6th	32
1990	Benetton	USA 11	BRA 10	SMR 3	MON Ret	CAN Ret	MEX 4	FRA 16	GBR Ret	GER 2	HUN Ret	BEL 4	ITA 8	POR 6	ESP 3	JPN	AUS	Benetton	8th	21

External links

• Alessandro Nannini’s full biography at 8W